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California Spearfishing Talk here about spearfishing on California's Pacific Coast, and post those reports and photos!

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Old 10-16-2008, 04:40 PM   #1
chulho
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Southern California Shore Dive Spots

I've been learning spearfishing in Northern California- usually in Sonoma, but my buddies and I are interested in making a trip to Southern California to shoot some fish there for a weekend.

I have a feeling that most people in So. Cal do boat dives.

Are there any good/decent shore dive spots you guys can recommend? Is it even worth it? and what type of fish can I hope to shoot (not too hard to spear for a beginner).
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Old 10-16-2008, 06:35 PM   #2
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Re: Southern California Shore Dive Spots

Anywhere from LA to TJ. Plenty of ocean to explore.

The quarry:

Calicos, sheepshead, halis, WSB, YT, perch...the usual stuff for SoCal. Good luck and let us how you did.
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Old 10-16-2008, 06:53 PM   #3
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Re: Southern California Shore Dive Spots

laguna is good san diego also is great
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Old 10-16-2008, 06:53 PM   #4
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Re: Southern California Shore Dive Spots

Anywhere in Laguna is cool. But before you come down check the waves out when the swell is big its like a washing Machine..Google Laguna Dive Conditions and it will walk you through some killer spots..
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Old 10-16-2008, 07:09 PM   #5
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Re: Southern California Shore Dive Spots

Here in Northern California, I usually swim out about 100-200 yards and I'm at 30-60 feet and can find Lingcods and rockfish. Is this something I can expect as well? (swimming out distance and depth).

...and you really mean I (well, more like decent divers in general) can shoredive and catch some YT and WSB??
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Old 10-16-2008, 07:20 PM   #6
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Re: Southern California Shore Dive Spots

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Originally Posted by chulho View Post

...and you really mean I (well, more like decent divers in general) can shoredive and catch some YT and WSB??
It's been known to happen from time to time...
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Old 10-16-2008, 07:22 PM   #7
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Re: Southern California Shore Dive Spots

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Originally Posted by chulho View Post
Here in Northern California, I usually swim out about 100-200 yards and I'm at 30-60 feet and can find Lingcods and rockfish. Is this something I can expect as well? (swimming out distance and depth).

...and you really mean I (well, more like decent divers in general) can shoredive and catch some YT and WSB??
Yes to both questions. ;] Plenty of shore diving here in OC, LA, and SD.
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Old 10-16-2008, 07:26 PM   #8
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Re: Southern California Shore Dive Spots

At least in Laguna where i tend to dive getting into some 60 foot water requires quite a swim.

Most places i dive its in the 30-45 foot deep range. This time of year is best for visibility for the next few months. Sheephead are also in in large numbers, but the halibut are on their way out. It will be tough to see WSB or YT, although 4 weeks ago I was buzzed by a nice YT from a shore dive. You can score 20 lb fish from shore down here.
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Old 10-16-2008, 08:03 PM   #9
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Re: Southern California Shore Dive Spots

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You can score 20 lb fish from shore down here.
ok- that got me. i'm in.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kelsea View Post
Yes to both questions. ;] Plenty of shore diving here in OC, LA, and SD.
what's/where is "OC"?
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Old 10-16-2008, 08:16 PM   #10
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Re: Southern California Shore Dive Spots

"OC" Diving for the most part is in Laguna. Here's somewhere to start http://www.lagunapages.com/beach/default.asp

LSS also has reports on conditions but I usually hack a few feet off what's listed..
http://www.lagunaseasports.com/condi...conditions.asp
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Old 10-16-2008, 09:50 PM   #11
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Re: Southern California Shore Dive Spots

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Originally Posted by Anton Bernhardt View Post
"OC" Diving for the most part is in Laguna. Here's somewhere to start http://www.lagunapages.com/beach/default.asp

LSS also has reports on conditions but I usually hack a few feet off what's listed..
http://www.lagunaseasports.com/condi...conditions.asp
Yeah, ever since that new guy bought Laguna Seasports everything's gone to shit. Their prices skyrocketed and their conditions updates are NEVER accurate. There's been days where he reports 20+ ft. and it's around 6! I think he likes to try and get people to come to his shop for fills, etc. before they dive at Shaw's.
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Old 10-16-2008, 10:02 PM   #12
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Re: Southern California Shore Dive Spots

Heck I saw my first YT an month ago in FIVE feet of water 10 feet from the rocks on shore! Weird eh? Scared the crap outta me.

I love this stuff.
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Old 10-16-2008, 10:12 PM   #13
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Re: Southern California Shore Dive Spots

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Originally Posted by coadavid View Post
Yeah, ever since that new guy bought Laguna Seasports everything's gone to shit. Their prices skyrocketed and their conditions updates are NEVER accurate. There's been days where he reports 20+ ft. and it's around 6! I think he likes to try and get people to come to his shop for fills, etc. before they dive at Shaw's.
But "usually" it's a very nice day when they report 20+ ft. You just have to check the date. They don't always update it daily. But conditions can change so I'd look at other websites surf forecasts as well.

I'd say every time they report 15+ it's been worth my while to go out. And even when it wasn't I was glad to be out in the ocean.
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Old 10-16-2008, 10:21 PM   #14
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Re: Southern California Shore Dive Spots

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Originally Posted by sciencemike View Post
You can score 20 lb fish from shore down here.
Shorediving and landing a 20lb fish in Laguna is something to brag about in my book. You really have to be in the right spot at the right time to encounter these fish. I'm just saying this cause I've only seen a handful diving around here. But maybe I'm just not getting out to the best spots.
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Old 10-17-2008, 12:16 AM   #15
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Re: Southern California Shore Dive Spots

To more specifically answer your question about recommended spots - esp for a beginner/newcomer to the area:

http://www.pacificwilderness.com/Div...ve%20Sites.htm

These are pretty well known and popular dive spots - these are some good places to start. ^_^
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